Hi Paul,

It's lovely all the good work you're doing and raising
the money that you do for worthy causes. I agree with you
that people who show kindness, empathy, and understanding,
we need more of in these troubled times.

Fester,

Our Australia Day is now becoming more focused on
inclusion and celebrating Modern Australia. Most nations
make their national day - the day they achieved independence
not the day they were colonised, according to the Australian
Museum. But I'm sure you're free to celebrate whichever day
floats your boat.

Like North Korea Foxy?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_North_Korea

"The Day of the Sun, the birthday of its founder and first leader Kim Il Sung, on 15 April is the most important holiday in the country.[3] The second most important is the Day of the Shining Star on 16 February, the birthday of Kim Jong Il.[4] As of 2019, Kim Jong Un's birthday is still not a public holiday.[5] Other holidays of great importance are the Party Foundation Day (10 October) and the Day of the Foundation of the Republic (9 September).[6] North Koreans often schedule their wedding days on important national holidays.[7]

North Korea regularly carries out missile and nuclear tests on such important anniversaries.[8] "

Maybe Australia should celebrate National Albo Day coincident with a competition for the biggest goose?

Anyone remember "Bonfire Night?"

I used to love it as a kid. We'd have a huge bonfire.
Plenty of double-bungers, crackers, sparkles. Until
my uncle caught one of his sons sticking a huge cracker
in his brother's ear.

It's only getting worse as I thought it would.

"Direct threats have been made to workers", said SDA State Secretary, Josh Peak. "Threats of use of guns have been made that we've become aware of". This was at a Woolworths supermarket in Australia. I fear it only get worse over time.

http://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/adelaide-breakfast/supermarket-employee-abuse/103380290

On a more positive note, Australian Test vice-captain Steve Smith has backed calls for a change to the date of Australia Day. Smith consulted with Test teammate Scott Boland, who is of indigenous descent, before forming his view. It comes on the back of cricketer Pat Cummins also announcing he also supported a change to the date.

The calls are growing louder to change the date and for me that's a start. Really though we need to end Australia Day as a celebration. The appalling treatment of Aboriginal people is not a day worthy of celebration. People should celebrate every day, not banal public holidays with little value. I think over time young people will abandon Australia Day and it will go away.

Finally, a retail outlet has come out calling Woolworths "Wokeworths" on social media. I think it was a publicity exercise to get sales, but some have said they will now be boycotting the supermarket.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfYTdj-_CLA

Hi Fester,

Aren't you a little ray of pitch black.

You'd probably know more about North Korea then me.

All I know is that Christopher Hitchens advised -
not to even think about ordering a doggie bag in
any restaurant in Pyongyang.

Hi Foxy,

My opinion is that if the date for Australia Day is to be changed it should be via a democratic mandate, not because of a "scientific" determination of a museum, and certainly not because the shouty people want it so.